Wednesday, 25 July 2012

CREATIVE EXCHANGE @ HIGHGREEN, TARSET on 18th Aug

We had a great group of artists attend our Creative Exchange session (see flyer below).

The morning was spent discussing our various interests and practices along with a presentation of our Transporter project so far and ideas linked to our residency in Peru. Topics covered; the connection we have to nature, the teaching of skills and crafts down generations and subverting crafts techniques to create contemporary art to comment on modern living. We had an interesting range of artists attend the session including text based, environmental and a felt artist. The afternoon was filled with creative activity and making; some collaborated to make spontaneous works outside, many working with materials or techniques not previously tried. It has been encouraging for us to discover the strong interest in sustainable arts practices and meet other artists who are already exploring this area in their work. The time flew by and as often with sessions such as this, it would have been great to have longer but here are some images to give a taster of what happened....(to see more go to our FlickR site)

'It
was so nice to have uninterrupted time to listen and talk with creative
people. I came away feeling very inspired by the people and the
wonderful setting...'

As part of the TRANSPORTER project, we will be facilitating a skill sharing and
making workshop on Saturday 18th
August, 10-4pm which explores how contemporary art can be developed from
traditional skills and craft and through the reusing of waste or discarded
materials, looking at the theme of sustainability.

We will talk about the Transporter project, highlighting
research gathered so far on crafts and heritage from the UK, China, Guyana,
Kenya and Peru and showcase some of their artwork. The rest of the day will
allow participants to share their own skills and develop new work in the
peaceful surroundings of Highgreen. We encourage you to bring something to the
session so that we can learn from you too! This could be an idea or a material
you are currently working with or a piece of work to show others. The aim of
the session is to develop your own creative practice by working with new
materials or pushing your current ideas about craft and art.

Note: Some materials will be provided such as clay, weaving
materials and scrap. Refreshments will be provided but please bring lunch. Car
share is available from Newcastle/Gateshead –please just ask!